Disruption to continue after Storm Eowyn causes 'unprecedented' damage to railway

Disruption to train services is expected to continue into Monday as the clear-up from Storm Eowyn carries on.

ScotRail has faced the majority of its routes being cancelled over the weekend after Network Rail reported around 500 individual incidents across the network.

The figure includes 120 fallen trees on the railway, damaged overhead wires, power supply failures and other objects on the line.

Network Rail will continue repairs, hoping to reopen more routes on Sunday evening or first thing Monday.

Storm Eowyn damage to Scotland's railway — Storm Eowyn damage to Scotland’s railway Network Rail

Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail, told STV News that the scale of the damage caused is “utterly unprecedented”.

“It’s been an incredibly hectic couple of days”, he added. “500 separate and distinct incidents which has hit the rail network extraordinarily hard.

“We’ve managed to re-establish around 70% of the rail network. The majority of the damage has been to the overhead line network in and around the central belt area.

“Right now, the area of focus is on the Inverclyde area, so Gourock, Weymss Bay, Largs and Ardrossan – we’ve got some really technical problems that we need to fix; that’s where our attention is focused right now.”

ScotRail has said it will get services back up and running as quickly as possible when given the green light.

The following routes are currently operating services:

Edinburgh – Aberdeen
Edinburgh – Leven
Edinburgh – Bathgate
Edinburgh – Queen Street (via Falkirk High)
Glasgow – Paisley Gilmour Street
Glasgow – Kilmarnock
Perth – Inverness
Edinburgh – Inverness
Edinburgh – Glenrothes (via Cowdenbeath)
Edinburgh – North Berwick
Edinburgh – Tweedbank
Perth – Aberdeen
Inverness – Kyle
Inverness – Wick
Aberdeen – Inverness
Crianlarich – Oban
Fort William – Crianlarich
Fort William – Mallaig

Anyone who is unable to use their tickets, or has made alternative arrangements, is entitled to a full refund on their unused train tickets, with no admin charge.

Alternatively, tickets already purchased can be used up to and including Friday, January 31, 2025. Customers should visit ScotRail.co.uk for details of how to claim a refund.